Former Browns QB Baker Mayfield drops blunt statement on the less than ideal situation he’s found himself in
Baker Mayfield once had to work through a rocky situation with the Cleveland Browns. Now, he’s dealing with a bit of a different scenario with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers it appears.
Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were unable to reach a new contract agreement before training camp, and those negotiations are now on pause until after the 2026 season. The former Cleveland Browns quarterback is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after this year, and he’s making it clear he’s not happy about how the process played out.
Mayfield has played in all 51 games for the Buccaneers over the past three seasons and has stayed healthy, which was one of his biggest downfalls toward the end of his time in Cleveland. After the Browns traded for Deshaun Watson following the 2021 season, Mayfield bounced from the Carolina Panthers to the Los Angeles Rams before landing in Tampa Bay on a one-year deal. He then signed a three-year, $100 million contract that will expire at the end of this season.
Not getting a contract done isn’t sitting well with Mayfield at all.
“I really know what I’ve brought to this franchise, leadership-wise and even play-wise,” said Mayfield. “It’s been some of the best years of my career, and I think it’s only going to trend upwards, just being comfortable and feeling that. So [it’s] disappointing in that regard to feel disrespected a little bit, and that’s really the disappointing part, to feel undervalued after, thinking you’ve earned it.”
I think I’m a franchise quarterback. I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback. It’s disappointing to say the least, but it’s all ball here, and I know I’m going to have a good year.”
Mayfield was stellar in 2024 with the Buccaneers, throwing for 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns to just 16 interceptions. His numbers dropped last season to 3,693 passing yards, 26 touchdown passes, and 11 interceptions. His completion percentage fell from 71.4 percent to 63.2 percent, a significant decline that likely played a role in negotiations stalling.
Despite that drop-off, Mayfield believes he has earned a long-term commitment from Tampa Bay. He made that feeling public on Thursday. Mayfield not being happy isn’t good news for the Buccaneers, and it isn’t an ideal situation going into 2026.
A familiar chip is on Mayfield’s shoulder
This isn’t the first time in Mayfield’s career that he’s been backed into a corner and forced to play with a chip on his shoulder. The former No. 1 overall pick by the Browns is 31 years old and still has time left in the prime of his career. Securing another multi-year deal is the clear priority and it should be.
If Mayfield goes out and delivers a Pro Bowl-caliber season in 2026, he’s likely to cash in somewhere north of $40 million per year on a multi-year deal. The question is whether that payday comes from Tampa Bay or from another team willing to make the commitment the Buccaneers have so far been unwilling to offer.
Mayfield has proven throughout his career that he performs well when he feels slighted. Whether the two sides find common ground once the season wraps up, or Mayfield plays his way into an even bigger contract on the open market, remains to be seen.